Wedding Dress Type Guide And 32 Examples

wedding dress type guide and 32 examples

Choosing your wedding dress is a terrifying process: there are tons of options and lots of points you should consider before shopping and during it. How in the world can you choose a dress without all that pressure? No panic! We’ve prepared a simple yet helpful guide to make your choice easier! Here you’ll see various shapes, necklines and trains to understand what you like, take a look and happy hunting!

Silhouettes

First of all, choose a proper silhouette, it will define the whole look of the dress. Empire waist means that the waist line is right under the bust. A-line waist means a fitted bodice and a skirt that gently flares out the silhouette. A mermaid gown features a corseted bodice and a fishtail shaped skirt starting just below or just above the knee. A ballgown means a fitted bodice and a full voluminous skirt. A sheath wedding dress features a narrow cut and emphases all your curves.

A romantic and vintage-inspired empire waist wedding dress with a lace bodice, cap sleeves and a plain flowy skirt.

A romantic and vintage-inspired empire waist wedding dress with a lace bodice, cap sleeves and a plain flowy skirt.

A chic modern empire waist wedding dress on straps, with a textural bodice with lace flowers and a layered skirt.

A chic modern empire waist wedding dress on straps, with a textural bodice with lace flowers and a layered skirt.

A romantic A-line wedding dress with a fully embellished bodice, a deep V-neckline and a flowy skirt.

A romantic A-line wedding dress with a fully embellished bodice, a deep V-neckline and a flowy skirt.

A beautiful A-line gold lace wedding gown with a train, long sleeves and a V-neckline.

A beautiful A-line gold lace wedding gown with a train, long sleeves and a V-neckline.

A gorgeous blush mermaid strapless wedding dress with a ruffled tail.

A gorgeous blush mermaid strapless wedding dress with a ruffled tail.

An off the shoulder plain mermaid wedding gown with a deep neckline and a train for a formal wedding.

An off the shoulder plain mermaid wedding gown with a deep neckline and a train for a formal wedding.

A blush strapless ballgown with a long train and a layered skirt for a dreamy look.

A blush strapless ballgown with a long train and a layered skirt for a dreamy look.

A beautiful ivory ballgown with a fully embellished bodice with a plunging neckline and a full skirt with a train.

A beautiful ivory ballgown with a fully embellished bodice with a plunging neckline and a full skirt with a train.

A sheath silver sequin wedding dress with bell sleeves and a train for a modern glam bride.

A sheath silver sequin wedding dress with bell sleeves and a train for a modern glam bride.

A breathtaking sheath wedding gown with geometric patterns and heavy embellishments, no sleeves and a V-neckline.

A breathtaking sheath wedding gown with geometric patterns and heavy embellishments, no sleeves and a V-neckline.

Necklines

Necklines are the second thing you should consider while choosing a dress. This will help you decide what accessories you will be wearing – some necklines scream for a statement necklace, others call for a demure set of pearls. And, in some cases, you will feel that the dress alone is enough!

There are sweetheart, straight, off the shoulder, jewel, scoop, V-neckline, bateau, square, halter, high neckline, asymmetric, spaghetti strap, illusion and Grecian necklines.

A breathtaking sheath wedding gown with geometric patterns and heavy embellishments, no sleeves and a V-neckline.

A breathtaking sheath wedding gown with geometric patterns and heavy embellishments, no sleeves and a V-neckline.

A lace strapless mermaid wedding dress with a train and a sweetheart neckline for a romantic feel.

A lace strapless mermaid wedding dress with a train and a sweetheart neckline for a romantic feel.

A strapless blush heavily embellished mermaid wedding dress with a train wows.

A strapless blush heavily embellished mermaid wedding dress with a train wows.

A boho lace sheath off the shoulder wedding dress with straps looks just wow.

A boho lace sheath off the shoulder wedding dress with straps looks just wow.

A flowy off the shoulder A-line sweetheart neckline wedding gown for a modern and cute bridal look.

A flowy off the shoulder A-line sweetheart neckline wedding gown for a modern and cute bridal look.

A thin straps scoop neckline wedding ballgown with lace appliques all over for a statement.

A thin straps scoop neckline wedding ballgown with lace appliques all over for a statement.

An ethereal pearly grey wedding dress with wide straps, a scoop neckline and an embellished bodice.

An ethereal pearly grey wedding dress with wide straps, a scoop neckline and an embellished bodice.

A lace spaghetti strap mermaid wedding gown with a V-neckline and a small train.

A lace spaghetti strap mermaid wedding gown with a V-neckline and a small train.

A lace applique sleeveless mermaid wedding dress with a V-neckline and a veil.

A lace applique sleeveless mermaid wedding dress with a V-neckline and a veil.

An illusion bateau neckline wedding dress with a lace bodice and a flowy skirt.

An illusion bateau neckline wedding dress with a lace bodice and a flowy skirt.

A halter neckline lace sheath wedding gown for a modern and charming bride.

A halter neckline lace sheath wedding gown for a modern and charming bride.

A minimalist halter neckline sheath wedding dress plus matching statement earrings.

A minimalist halter neckline sheath wedding dress plus matching statement earrings.

A romantic wedding ballgown with a high neckline, long sleeves and a matching veil.

A romantic wedding ballgown with a high neckline, long sleeves and a matching veil.

A romantic and modest wedding gown with a lace bodice, a high neckline and a lace trim on the skirt.

A romantic and modest wedding gown with a lace bodice, a high neckline and a lace trim on the skirt.

A chic one shoulder (asymmetric) lace wedding dress with a tulle overskirt.

A chic one shoulder (asymmetric) lace wedding dress with a tulle overskirt.

A gorgeous lace wedding dress with a deep V-neckline and double spaghetti straps plus statement earrings.

A gorgeous lace wedding dress with a deep V-neckline and double spaghetti straps plus statement earrings.

A sexy white lace sheath wedding dress with spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline.

A sexy white lace sheath wedding dress with spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline.

An illusion sweetheart neckline sleeveless wedding gown with gold embroidery and an embellished sash.

An illusion sweetheart neckline sleeveless wedding gown with gold embroidery and an embellished sash.

An illusion plunging neckline sleeveless wedding dress with a lace applique bodice and a tulle skirt.

An illusion plunging neckline sleeveless wedding dress with a lace applique bodice and a tulle skirt.

Trains

A sweeping train makes a bold and stylish statement at once. There are different train lengths and you may choose whatever you prefer to highlight your look. A chapel train is from 12 to 18 inches on the floor, a sweep/brush train is about 6 inches on the floor, a cathedral train is 22+ inches on the floor, and you may also go for a semi-cathedral train, which is between chapel and cathedral.

A floral lace ballgown with long sleeves, embellishments and a chapel train.

A floral lace ballgown with long sleeves, embellishments and a chapel train.

A sexy mermaid wedding gown with an illusion back, long sleeves and a cathedral train.

A sexy mermaid wedding gown with an illusion back, long sleeves and a cathedral train.

A minimalist spaghetti strap wedding dress with a sweep train.

A minimalist spaghetti strap wedding dress with a sweep train.

A lace sheath wedding dress with long sleeves and a semi-cathedral train.

A lace sheath wedding dress with long sleeves and a semi-cathedral train.